Despite the fact that this year’s time spent at Maple lake was unique and precious to me, there were a couple things I want to acknowledge in case anyone is wondering what planet I’m from, though in the states I am actually an alien. Har.
First, the weather. If I hadn’t had the luxury* of the ability to do paid work at the cottage I simply could not have stayed on as I did.
The key reason is that after months of discussion with the two potential internet providers that could serve Maple Lake it became clear that only one– the satellite Internet guys could actually complete the install for this summer.
They did a brilliant job. The service was better than what I have on a day-to-day basis with my American provider, Comcast, and through a bit of good luck I had more online work than I could handle.
It would have been very, very tough to chose between a beautiful day on the Lake and getting my work done but because many days were not beautiful in the traditional sense, I didn’t have to chose. I could find a nice spot only feet from the lapping of the lake and work away as the lake itself was colder than I’d ever experienced during high season.
My first week at Maple Lake was very quiet as I was alone in the cottage. I’d not ever been alone like that at Maple Lake and though a bit eerie the first night or two, it became quite peaceful. I absolutely never recall my dreams at home and here it seemed I woke each day with vivid recollections. I also had a transformative experience at one point when I awoke but I’m not sure blogging about it here is what I want to do right now. It was very, very helpful, I will say that.
I had time to notice a lot of what’s happening on the surface of things at Maple Lake. Even so, I have no illusions that I know much beyond that but here’s what’s not good that happened and that I’m very concerned about for my family both immediate and extended and for other folks on the lake.
Between the time that my spouse and I opened the cottage in early June to the time I returned in the third week of July and than again in the two weeks I was absent in August several acts of property damage and loss occurred.
Even before this happened–and it was a deep shock– I felt that it’s imperative that the residents of Maple Lake both summer and year-round, watch out for one another. This was a wake-up call for me and I’ve taken steps to keep a closer eye on the place and I will return with a stronger security mindset next June.
I am concerned that modern life, though it can seem to be pretty far away when one is at the cottage has indeed been able to creep down our gravel road or perhaps wander the perimeter of the Lake and we need to stop feeling secure that what we’ve been doing is enough when in fact there are many renters on the lake and there is much new development (teardowns, especially). Once you go out and paddle around the Lake’s edge it is very apparent.
We simply cannot know all our neighbours–as many may never return after their vacation. Again, I want to be emphatic: I have no reason to believe anyone we know vandalized our property but I can’t be an ostrich when taking note of the multiple incidents.
I am intensely curious to find out if the crime rate in the Maple Lake area is rising. That would seem to follow as more people equals more activity of many kinds.
Sorry this has been rambling. I hope that what happened to us didn’t happen to anyone else.
Next year I’ll try to be at the cottage even longer than this year–but on a different schedule based on my son’s need to visit potential universities which has yet to be determined.
No one is paying me to say this but having the ability to set up a webcam or two so you can literally keep an eye on your cottage may be worth the investment. It’s my opinion that the guys at the link above may be the best investment I’ve made thus far in our cottage.
A well-made groin. (above–the rock thingy). Spouse just kept at it until he couldn’t doing anything else to it.
First, hello officially from the US.
It was so perfectly beautiful.
I went to Maple Lake three times between June and September 2008, staying for 4 weeks straight in July/August plus two extra long weekends. My original plan involved staying up to two months but by late May my son had decided to take Driver’s Education at Fremd High School over the summer as there was no room in his academic schedule during the regular school year. Plus, the class is offered at about half the going (or less) than traditional driving schools. Last summer he took Health Education and something else. Killed summer vacation dates then, too. But as a wise person recently pointed out, in only a short while he’ll be away at college! I’ll miss him terribly but the cottage is much more likely to be occupied by me and spouse is *cough* getting older and accruing some good vacation time–so he can stay awhile as well. He very much likes it which I think is kinda cute as he married into summering on Maple Lake.
***Don’t miss the last photo. It’s the best.
Spouse working doing stuff at the Lake.
Dug up a pesky stump
Prepping for grass
Spouse removed an old stump and planted a patch of grass where it had been. That patch is now known as the best patch of grass on the property. LOL
South side of Maple Lake (click to enlarge)
Ack! Tried to find a cool older (5 years ago) photo for comparison. It’s pretty amusing but I’ve used three PC’s in the last week and I’m not even sure which one they are are on–just which one they are not on. So… more later.
St. Peter's Church, Maple Lake, after 2006 tornadoes
Maple Lake in Grey (2007)
Maple Lake Dawn
Moonlight (R. Corrao)
Sept 1, Sunset (2008)
Thanks to Alice and Frank and my Dad (pictured, age 2 months) and my Mom for picking my Dad.
Dad's Baptism?
Frank, holding 2 mo. old Jim, Alice
I love how well this photo cleaned up (and yes, I know I could have done a better job) . My grandmother looks so pretty and, for the very first time I can see the same jawline on my grandfather, Frank as that of my Dad (and me to a degree). Very interesting and fun to know.
The Labour Day weekend was perfect. No one wanted to go home. All my relatives live close enough to come upon the weekends if September continues from it’s fantastic beginning. I’m a bit envious as living too far from here will prevent us from doing so.
Just the same I’m happy to say that I’ve been here this year in the months of June, July, August and September and have gotten reacquainted with Cottage County to the extent that the massive amounts of rain let me.
Alice
We went on a final canoe ride today–all the way to the south side of the lake. Its was perfect. We saw some photo-shy loons and I got some nice snaps of St Peter’s Church.
Now we are packing and closing up for the next nine months. Real life duty such as work, child rearing, and more work call and they take precedence. We leave a bit of our hearts behind here at Maple Lake though.
I’m getting pretty excited and a admittedly a bit anxious about our trip to Maple Lake, Ontario on Friday.
The weather looks fantastic though (!), especially Labour Day–Monday. Finally, the people who really need good weather will have something to enjoy.
I’d like it to be calm enough that we get a last canoe ride in and I’d like the air temperatures to be warm enough so that the quite chilly lake temperature doesn’t force me to keep my swim-time short.
I guess that’s a rather large list but the biggest wish is that my boys, age 25 and 16 as well as our little dog Raven, do just fine here on their own. I’m sure they will but since I’m a mother worry is hard-wired.
Hope to see anyone reading this pop over for a visit to our cottage over Labour Day. If we don’t see you –enjoy!
Spouse has been following the Haliburton Highlands weather forecast like a hawk as he is concerned about his grass seed getting enough water.
Our gardens here at home look the worse for his being gone three weeks. Spouse says they are at the end of their life cycles but I think they got both too much water and too much heat.
So Maple Lake looks great this week, like much of the Haliburton Highlands!
Hurrah for a stretch of good weather. I’m still undecided about staying up there longer in September. With his dad working 7 days a week, I’m a tad concerned about leaving Chris essentially on his own at the beginning of Junior year.
Current Forecast: Haliburton Highlands
And the Long Range Weather Forecast for the Haliburton Highlands through the first week in September:
That looks really good until just after Labour Day weekend-then ZMOG! Freezing again!
It’s rather quiet here though we’ve had a brief respite from the storms. I even managed to get myself in a bit of a fix going out on the Lake as a novice canoeist yesterday!
Just the same it’s going to be hard to leave on Saturday but leave we must. Spouse returns to work and school starts for son on his birthday–August 20th!
He chose to take a couple friends to Gameworks the day before and I’m the chaperone so I cannot very well miss it. I am however considering coming back up for a couple weeks in September depending on if the current forecast for “drier than normal” weather pan out. Here’s how the current long-range forecast looks. BTW, bugs are really a non-issue as it’s been so cool.
Though the sun is shining and I’m grateful, it is in no way warm. The water, after many sub-normal temp weeks simply never warmed up–so swimming has been less than a daily activity. But as they say you take what you get when you come up here–and there is still much here to savour.
A walk in the woods
Lots of nature–any time of the year–any weather!
My spouse, who is a much earlier riser than I, took these out in the back field area.
This is what it’s looked like a lot here at Maple Lake this week past~
I wasn’t unhappy to miss the weekend revelry in favour of getting things set up for spouse, son, and dog’s arrival. They got here around 11 p.m. last night. As always (lol) it took 13 hours out of a start about 25 miles northwest of Chicago. Accidents, construction, the usual–but an easy border crossing which is always appreciated!
The cottage is sinking noticeably this year. I don’t think the rains helped much.:( Filing down the doors just isn’t a long-term or permanent solution. It’s pretty worrying because it needs to be addressed, then the siding!
To the weather and bugs! /EDIT
Black flies are officially out of season here! I wonder if they know that? (See bug report below for the day before.)
…is what the forecast calls for all the way into next week here in the WestGuilford/Maple Lake area. Must be kind of disappointing for anyone who has limited vacation time or has come to the end of their vacation.
My family and I usually hold off coming up to Maple Lake until August because whether it’s a cast iron fact or not a) virtually every time we arrive we are told by the regulars that we brought the good weather with us, that the weather had been not great for some time prior to our getting here. Always is nice to be perceived as a ray of sunshine. b) The weather here is near perfect most every August.
My perspective, having a whole month to chill out here is that I have plenty to do that doesn’t need great weather to be done–so though I’d welcome just a bit more sunshine, I’m willing to wait for the great weather on the way to Maple Lake on Tuesday and Wednesday and possibly beyond.
Spoke with spouse and both sons tonight–all sounds good on the home front. Spouse did tell me that the flowers that I posted were in fact some wildflowers seeds he just sprinkled on the bank before we left last time.
It’s not simply case of not feeling like getting prepared for “Cindy’s big adventure north.” It’s more a sense of feeling overwhelmed by leaving home ( here) for a month. I want to go–really, really want to go. And I’m quite sure once I get there and get settled in that I’ll be better than fine. It’s just that I’m finding it hard to find a stopping point for my day-to-day responsibilities and to be honest, distractions which are not productive.
I think I need a nudge but there’s no one to tell me to get it in gear because I’m pretty much the boss of me.
OK. That’s it. I’m signing off. I will see you on the other side (of the border), fingers crossed that the newly installed satellite Internet in the cottage is humming along. This girl does not have the luxury of taking a month break. Posting may slack a tad–though be prepared for a barrage of photographs of the beauty that is cottage country. Until then, stay safe and take good care.
(above–the rock thingy). Spouse just kept at it until he couldn’t doing anything else to it. 
